John McMahon calls for Tranmere Rovers overhaul

Tranmere Rovers caretaker boss John McMahon insists a wind of change needs to sweep through Rovers - and fast - after defeat to Bradford City confirmed their relegation to League 2.

Late goals from Bantams strike duo Jon Stead and Aaron Mclean, combined with Notts County's fight back to draw with Oldham, consigned Tranmere to the drop.

Survival had looked like being on the cards though as Matthew Pennington opened the scoring for the hosts after seven minutes while County fell behind after the break at Boundary Park.

But it was not to be enough. Junior Brown's red card for a late challenge on Nathan Doyle did not help Tranmere's cause.

McMahon wants Rovers to heed the lessons of their relegation.

He said: "As a football club we now need to review the structure of how we do things. We need a good base and a good structure to move forward with.

"I don't think the club has had one in recent seasons. The board need to put that in place because without those foundations we can't grow.

"Our player recruitment needs a massive overhaul and we need to concentrate on getting the right staff in to help with that too.

"My objective was to keep us in League One and unfortunately that hasn't happened. I am just disappointed for the fans, the players and everyone connected with the club.

"We have struggled in previous seasons and it can't go on like that. The club needs to make changes because that is the only way to move it forward and we need to do that quickly.

"We need to create a style of play and recruit players that suit the DNA of Tranmere Rovers.

``This is my lowest moment in football. It really hurts."

Meanwhile, the win for Bradford saw them finish 11th in League One and, after promotion via the play-offs last season, Bantams boss Phil Parkinson had no complaints.

"We are happy to win the game and finish in the top half of the table in what is our first season back at this level," said Parkinson.

"It is a tremendous achievement for everyone involved with the club. We started and finished the season really well.

"And, although there were times in the middle when we were looking over our shoulder, we are really pleased overall.

"My commiserations go to Tranmere because it is a terrific football club. I know they will be back because they have a fantastic set of supporters to galvanise the players. And they have some good youngsters who can help move them forward.

"We have to look to progress again next season. It will be a challenging summer to get a squad in place that will enable us to do that."

On Brown's red card, Parkinson added: ``'The sending off came from a late challenge but if he had got a yellow card I wouldn't have grumbled.``